A BELOVED Oxfordshire artist has announced her return less than a week after her post box topper made for charity was set alight. 

Rachel Crook, known locally as Yarnsy, crocheted the topper for a post box on The Broadway in Didcot to raise money for Sobell House's OxTrail fundraising campaign. 

Last week Ms Crook posted pictures of the damage on Facebook, which was met with hundreds of comments.

She wrote: "I think Yarnsy will be taking a bit of a break after this.

"My apologies to the Post Office. I never dreamed anyone would set fire to my creation."

READ MORE: Didcot: Post box topper made for charity set on fire

The post box topper was set alight (Image: Rachel Crooks)

A spokesperson for the Post Office said they were aware of the vandalism (Image: Rachel Crooks)

However, less than a week later the beloved artist has announced she is back.

"After much consideration, I have decided that Yarnsy will be back," she wrote on Facebook on Monday (September 9).

She told the Oxford Mail that the support from the community since the incident has been "overwhelming."

"I had no idea my little crochet installations meant so much to so many," she said.

READ MORE: Anger over 'totally disgusting' food from Didcot KFC

"I have especially enjoyed hearing from the community about how they have brightened peoples days and put a smile on their faces. 

"This is exactly the aim of my work and I am thrilled to see it has made a difference to so many people in Didcot but also much further afield. I am determined to continue crocheting for the community.

"I am also extremely thankful that we have been able to turn such a negative thing into a positive."

Since the fire the fundraiser has surpassed the initial goal of £500, which Yarnsy said she is "thrilled" about.

"Thank you to all who were able to support me," she added.

The fundraiser can be found here.

About the author  

Charlotte joined the Oxford Mail in April 2024. 

She studied Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University. 

Charlotte has a particular focus on the Bicester patch and writes for the Bicester Advertiser as well as the Oxford Mail.

She can be found on X by searching @charcolesjourno.